Veni, Sancte Spiritus...Come, Holy Spirit September Fruit of the Spirit - Love

September 12, 2016 Dear All Saints Catholic School Families, On Sunday, September 11, 2016, we prayerfully acknowledged the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States. Most of us remember exactly where we were at that time. I was in a classroom of first through third graders on the north shore of Long Island. Many in our community were directly impacted by the events of that day. We do not forget any of those who lost their lives and we remember with deep gratitude, those first responders who gave their lives. "This is my commandment: Love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friend." (John 15: 12-14) In the days following 9-11, we saw the best of who we are as a national community. Many sacrificed and placed the needs of others before their own as our service men and women do every day. Recently, in the news there has been "controversy" over respectful posture during our National Anthem by athletes. A video of the Virginia Tech Basketball coach speaking to his team about their posture and the "why" of appropriate respect during the National Anthem appeared on my Facebook feed. I encourage you to watch this and discuss it with your children (Click HERE for the video). It is particularly appropriate for intermediate and middle school students. As Catholic Christians, we know that it is Jesus who first laid down His life for our freedom from sin and death; that we might have eternal life. Pope Francis in his Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel encourages us to find and live in the joy of this gospel reality. Many of us equate joy with happiness and consequently become discouraged in times of persecution and difficulty. When we recognize joy as, "the flicker of light born of our personal certainty that, when everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved" (Pope Francis, 2013), nothing can take joy from us! Last week at ASCS, we held our Opening School Mass, two successful Back to School Nights and our HSA sponsored, Potluck Block Party in addition to our regular school days of learning. It was a busy week! Parents, teachers and staff all sacrificed personal time for the sake of our children and our school community. At one point during the Block Party, I stepped back and took in the big picture. Children of different ages were playing together, parents were playing with children, teachers were socializing with families and families were engaged in animated conversation with one another. I spoke a quiet prayer of gratitude to God for bringing me to this amazing Catholic school community. Thank you to each of you for the warm welcome I have received. I am truly grateful and filled with tremendous joy!! Opportunities to share JOY in our school community: Pray:

Please remember in prayer all those who lost and gave their lives on 9-11, and for their families and loved ones. Please remember in prayer all those who have and are serving in our armed forces. Please remember all members of our school and supporting parishes in your daily prayers. Consider joining us for: Monday Morning Prayer in the Lower Level Gathering Space (7:50 am) Weekly Grade Level Masses on Wednesdays or Monthly School Masses: Mass Schedule 2016-17 Learn: Please join us for school meetings: Eighth Grade Parent Meeting: Tuesday, September 27, 2016 @ 6:15 pm School Volunteers are welcome to support our students as: Homeroom Parents, Lunch/Recess Assistants, Extra-Curricular Activity Moderators, and Athletic Coaches. If you have a particular skill, talent that you would like to share, please reach out and let us know! Celebrate: The Home and School Association (HSA) will be holding OPEN board meetings beginning in October. Please consider joining us to plan ways to celebrate as a school community! HSA Faith in Action - Service Initiative Student Pictures - Monday, September 19, 2016 Student Council Induction - Monday, September 26, 2016 (as part of morning prayer) Reflect: Please take time to read this weekly letter with announcements to remain informed. One Book, One ASCS Community: Redeeming Conflict by Ann Garrido A school/parent/teacher/staff Book Club to reflect on this book has been suggested. Is there anyone interested in organizing this?

"Let the Church be a place of mercy and hope where everyone is welcomed, loved and forgiven." ~ Pope Francis

Sincerely,

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Muir

Announcements/Activities Important Parent Information In today's Blue Folder please find the Confidential Family Survey form. This form must be completed and returned to school no later than Friday,September 30, 2016. The Delaware Department of Education School Transportation Office has informed the Catholic Schools Office of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington that the transportation funding for non-public schools was not approved as a part of the state budget. Families in Catholic schools will not be receiving a transportation reimbursement for the 2016-17 school year. 8th Grade Parents: IMPORTANT! High School Placement Test (HSPT) information and registration information can be found on the ASCS website: http://www.ascsde.org/

... Lunch Order Dates For lunches being served Monday, October 3, 2016 - Friday, October 14, 2016:

Orders must be placed by 12M Monday, September 26, 2016 To view all lunch ordering deadline dates click below: http://www.ascsde.org/content

... Picture Day is Coming !

Picture Day is scheduled for Monday, September 19th! Order forms were sent home last week. Please make sure the order form is returned to school on or before Picture Day. Students may "dress up" for Picture Day

... Calling All 6th, 7th & 8th Graders! The first dance for All Saints is Friday September 23rd. This fundraiser directly benefits our eighth grade students with funds going to support all their fun activities this year. Click on link for more info ASCS Dance 9/23/16 A meeting for the dance will be held on Monday, Sept. 19th, at 7pm in the HSA room ~ open to all 6th - 8th grade parents. All interested, please contact Anna Procope 302-463-7792 [email protected]

... Amazon Smile Remember...ASCS is registered with Amazon Smile. When you use this link to shop, our school

will receive 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases. Amazon Smile Link

... A Note from Mrs. Watts Dear ASCS Families: Thank you so much for helping with the soda can collection for a STEM class project. I am looking forward to building a "Soda Can Solar Panel" in STEM class and with the help of the 8th graders. At this time I am no longer in need of cans. Please be sure to recycle with your local trash company or take to a recycling station. Thank you for your continued support! Mrs. Watts

... Cub Scout Pack 803

Come Join the Fun!! Sign Up for Cub Scouts Pack 803!! Who: Boys Kindergarten - 5th Grade Where: St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church 7200 Lancaster Pike Hockessin, DE 19707 When: Wednesday, September 21st - 7pm St. Mary of the Assumption Lower Level For More Information, please contact: Blythe Bauer: 302-388-2668 or [email protected] Nick Henry: 302-530-8276 or [email protected]

... Recess Equipment Requested ASCS is looking for donations of gently used outdoor play equipment (Little Tykes, Playskool, etc.) for our PreK and Kindergarten children to play on at recess. Fr. Darcy has very graciously offered safe areas of the grassy sections around the Parish Center on which our children may play. If you have any outdoor play equipment for donation, please call the school office before bringing any equipment to school.

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ASCS Outdoor Classroom/Garden The outdoor classroom/garden is a great place for lessons to come alive and connect curriculum to the outside environment. The very setting puts students in touch with the Natural World. School garden activities promote experimental STEM learning and helps children learn about God's gift of Nature! All Saints Catholic School would appreciate any donations of soil or mulch or expertise in trimming trees that are providing too much shade to our garden beds. If you are able to support our School Classroom/Garden, please contact the School Office at 302-995-2231.

... Nun Run The Little Sisters of the Poor are hosting a "Nun Run/Walk" this Saturday, September 17, at their Jeanne Jugan Residence, located in Newark. The run/walk does have an entry fee which benefits the needy elderly at the Jeanne Jugan Residence. The race start time is 9am, registration can be done online or in person prior to the race. Mrs. Watts will be participating in her ASCS STEM shirt, and you are welcome to join her in your own STEM shirts or ASCS Spiritwear! For more information and to register please visit: http://nunrun5k.org/

... Give it Up for Gulu 5K Give It Up for Gulu is hosting a 5K Run/Walk and Doggie Dash on Saturday, September 24, 2016. Proceeds from the event will benefit St. Catherine of Siena Nursery School, located in Gulu, Uganda. For more information: Give It Up for Gulu 5K To register: Registration Form

HSA Events/Activities ASCS Block Party Thank you to everyone who volunteered, donated and came to our first ASCS Block Party. It was a total success! We had great weather and food and everyone enjoyed themselves. It was wonderful to see so many families gather together. Looking forward to seeing more families at our future events!!!

... ASCS Serve-A-Thon

Important dates for Serve-a-thon with additional Info Tuesday October11, 2016- Serve-a-thon donations OR ticket stubs with money are to be turned in to school! Friday, October 14, 2016- All Saints Catholic School Serve-a-thon From 9-11am, students will take part in Community service projects Chick-fil-A will be served at each lunch period followed by fun activities in the afternoon. Wear your gym uniform, STEM shirt or spirit wear to school on this date -bring a bottle of water and pray for beautiful weather! Grand Prize drawing for Blue Rocks Luxury Suite! This prize package includes 20 tickets to the Luxury Suite, 10 VIP parking passes and a customized menu-a $700 value! "Living Our Faith" community service project The serve-a-thon is the kick-off to the year long community service program, "Living Our Faith." Each month, students are asked to perform Community service either at home, at a relative's or neighbor's home, nursing home, etc. NUT passes will be distributed to students who have completed their services hours for the preceding month. Service Requirements by grade level: Pre-K-2nd grade- 1 hour per month 3rd-5th grade- 2 hours per month 6th-8th grade- 3 hours per month NUT (No Uniform Today) PASSES NUT passes will be distributed to students who have completed their services hours for the preceding month. Completion Due Dates: September hours are due on Oct 1st October hours due Nov. 1st and so on. NUT PASSES are valid only on the day of issue (same month). NUT Pass dates are: 10/28, 11/18, 12/16, 1/27, 2/24, 3/31, 4/28, 5/19

... ASCS Day at Cafe Napoli Enjoy lunch, dinner or take out ~ all day...! At Cafe Napoli on Wednesday Oct 5th.

A portion of the proceeds benefit our school!!! Click on link for more info:

Cafe Napoli 10/5/16

Athletic Association Update We are still accepting registrations for the following Sport: In House Volleyball - Boys and girls grades K-3rd (No CYM registration is necessary. Eligibility rules do not apply). Kids are welcome anytime. There is no deadline for these registrations

PARISH HAPPENINGS St. Matthew's St. Matthew Parish Picnic Sunday September 18, 2016 Following the 11:30am Mass at Banning Park (Cary Pavilion) Featuring the Kilby Creamery Ice Cream Truck Raffle Baskets, Bingo, 50/50 Raffle, along with food and old fashion picnic games Fun for the whole family Click on link for full details: St. Matthew Feast Day Picnic

... St. Matthew's Parish Painting Party Fundraiser Click on link for full details: St. Matthew Painting Party

Corpus Christi Come join us for our 1st Annual Fall Harvest Dance Saturday, October 22, 2016 More info to follow soon

... B-I-N-G-O Sunday September 18, 2016 Corpus Christi Social Hall 1:00 pm (doors open @ noon)

Our Lady of Fatima OLF Golf Outing Monday September 19, 2016 Ed Oliver Golf Course, Wilmington, DE Click on link for more info, player registration and sponsor registration: OLF 2016 Golf Tournament